NHL hockey betting - Wings, Hawks clash in NHL Winter Classic
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- WHO: Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks
- WHAT: NHL hockey betting
- WHEN: Thursday, January 1, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. ET
- WHERE: Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL
- KEY STATS: Detroit won first two meetings this season
- PICK: Red Wings
NHL betting fans are rejoicing for many reasons these days. For one, Chicago fans will be treated to outdoor hockey action when the Red Wings visit the Blackhawks at historic Wrigley field in the NHL Winter Classic line. Secondly, now that the Blackhawks are a legit contender for the first time this decade, one of hockey’s most storied rivalries is back in a big way.
Chicago, lead by emerging young superstars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, is impressing online sports betting fans with fantastic play of late. As of Dec. 25, the Hawks were 18-6-7, a record that included seven straight wins and no regulation losses in their last nine games.
Winning in the NHL Winter Classic odds will be no small task on New Year’s Day, though. Feeding off the Chicago home crowd, which is back to its old, raucous self, the Blackhawks should be a slight favorite in NHL Winter Classic betting. However, battling the defending Stanley Cup champion Red Wings is as tough a test as any team can face.
The Blackhawks have a lot going for them these days, so it’s no wonder they’ve been a popular NHL betting pick of late. They’ve been red-hot since Joel Quenneville took over as head coach, and it’s no fluke. Kane ranked 10th in the league in scoring with 39 points through Dec. 24. The blueline, anchored by Duncan Keith, Brian Campbell and young Cam Barker, is a stable of rock-solid thoroughbreds. Even Chicago’s goaltending tandem of Nikolai Khabibulin and Cristobal Huet has held its own; the Hawks may have an edge over the Wings in that department.
But any online sports betting player with half a brain knows the Wings have to be respected, even though they travel to hostile (and extremely cold) territory Jan. 1. They’ve been just as hot as Chicago of late, having won eight of 10 through Dec. 25. They’re still arguably the deepest team in the league up front, and scary-good superstars Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg are only just starting to hit their stride.
What about Detroit’s goaltending situation? It’s been uglier than Steve Buscemi this season, as neither Chris Osgood nor Ty Conklin has duplicated last season’s heroics. That could change soon if Chris Osgood remains hampered by a groin injury. Conklin has always been at his best when filling in for an injured starter and getting to play multiple games in a row. If Osgood is still out come Jan. 1, Conklin should be in a rhythm by that point, giving the Wings the edge they need in the Red Wings vs Blackhawks odds.
While the momentum and home-ice advantage seem to favor Chicago, Detroit has one key intangible that should propel it to victory in the Red Wings vs Blackhawks line: big-game experience. Oodles of it. And no one who likes to bet online can deny the NHL Winter Classic is a “big game.” Since it’s likely to have a playoff feel, the Wings will be better equipped than the fresh-faced Hawks to handle the pressure. Since the defending champs relish the chance to ruin Chicago’s outdoor party, bet online on the wily Red Wings to win the NHL Winter Classic in a close game.
For more Red Wings vs Blackhawks betting and NHL odds, bookmark the BetOnline.com sportsbook.
Who better to offer great sports betting and hockey tips than a native Canadian? Like any good Canuck, Don Melrose eats, sleeps, breathes and bets hockey, making him the perfect NHL handicapper. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
